Social Security: Americans Agree VIDEO

Social Security: Just the Facts Video

COVERED: a week-by-week look at the political and legislative developments that led to the creation of Medicare and Medicaid 50 years ago. Bob Rosenblatt, Academy senior fellow and former Los Angeles Times Washington correspondent will report on the people and the maneuvers that led to this major expansion of social insurance.

Medicare

Medicare is a social insurance program that provides health insurance coverage to over 48 million Americans—almost everyone over age 65 and recipients of Social Security disability benefits. Pressures to curb health care spending, the projected insolvency of the Hospital Insurance Trust Fund, and concerns about gaps in coverage that leave beneficiaries exposed to significant health care costs will shape the evolution of the Medicare program.